Classic Scrambles Week

Project Description

Classic scrambles week in Snowdonia

Location: Snowdonia
Price: £495 per person
Ratio: 1:4 for the first 3 days and then 1:2 for the last two days
Length: 5 days

Who is the course suitable for?

As a summer hillwalker you enjoy the mountain environment and now want to begin to tackle some of the fine ridges and gullies that they have to offer. To gain the confidence to stroll along airy ridges with stunning views dropping away on either side is to open up a whole new playground!

If you are feeling confident as a summer hillwalker, and would like to explore steeper ground, moving onto roped scrambles as the week progresses then this classic scrambles week is the one for you. You don’t need any previous scrambling experience and we will take you from grade 1 to grade 2 or even 3 by the end of the week. If you have some previous experience then we will help you progress.

What does the course cover?

This is a fantatstic 5 day course that starts you off on grade 1 scrambles with classics to suit the group with options including Seniors Ridge on Glyder Fawr, the North Ridge of Tryfan, Crib Goch on Snowdon, The Gribin Ridge on Glyder Fawr, Bristly Ridge on Glyder Fach, the Gribin on Snowdon and the West Ridge of Moel Siabod. Routes will be chosen to match your experience and aspirations and of course the weather conditions. We will look at movement skills, route selection and how to assess and manage risk to stay safe in a steep mountain environment. We will help you to interpret the guidebook and pick a line and teach you to move safely and confidently so that you can head out on these types of routes under your own steam.

As the course progresses we will move onto grade 2 and 3 scrambles. Initially these will be a guided journey with me on the sharp end of the rope so that I can teach you the skills that are used to manage this type of ground using the rope and some basic rock climbing equipment. Options include:

The Cneifion Arete – A magnificent Grade 3 scramble which is often compared to an Alpine Ridge. The route starts with a couple of pitches of Difficult grade climbing and then eases off to provide fantastic scrambling up a knife edge ridge.

Dolmen ridge (Glyder Fach)
A grade 3, three star scramble, finishing a few metres from the summit of Gyder Fach.

Clogwyn y Person Arete
A grade 2, three star scramble. A beautiful alpine style ridge with a couple of pitches of rock climbing followed by exhilarating scrambling. The descent is normally by way of Crib Goch back down to the Llanberis Pass.

The course starts at a 1:4 ratio and then drops to a 1:2 ratio for the last two days to ensure that you get the highest level of care and instruction.
The latter part of the course focuses on demonstrating the ropework involved in the harder scrambles and giving you a taste of what this ground entails. We can also look at the ropework involved in protecting nervous partners on easier ground.

At the end of the course you should be aware of the skills that you require to tackle your own objectives under your own steam. Rob will provide advice on how to progress those skills. The course is great preparation if you are planning your first trip to Skye or your first summer Alpine trip.

Previous Experience:

You need to be a reasonably fit hillwalker and ready to tackle some steeper ground.

Where is the course held?

We run the course in Snowdonia. We have a wealth of historic mountain scrambles to choose from that are all easily accessable with relatively short walk-ins.

What about equipment?

We provide all of the specialist equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets and the climbing rack. If you have your own kit you are welcome to use it. We will provide you with a detailed kit list when you book on the course.

What about accommodation & transport?

We do not include accommodation with this course. For a variety of different accommodation options in Snowdonia, from camping to nice hotels, visit this link. The link also shows road and rail travel options to Snowdonia.

Meeting Place & Time

Once you book we will send you a comprehensive set of course notes and a letter of confirmation, this will include a detailed kit list and details of where and when we meet. The first day normally starts at 9:30am in Capel Curig and finishes in the same place at about 4:00pm.

Other Questions

Its really helpful if you can email me with any questions that you can’t find answers to on the website and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Book this Course

To book this course please choose a date from the diary page and then click on the button below to complete our booking form and make payment via Paypal. We require full payment to secure your course space.

Thank you Huw and Rob for a fantastic week scrambling in Wales! You shared great routes, all with a laugh and never ending patience. So many happy adventures, I can’t wait to book on another course!

Best wishes,

Rosie, Classic Scrambles 2017

Dear Huw and Rob,

I wanted to say thank you for providing such an outstanding week of scrambling in Snowdonia. Under your watchful eye I have gained much more confidence standing tall on all the knife-edge arêtes and narrow ledges that Snowdonia has to offer. Having climbed the best part of 15,000 feet over the course of the week, I feel privileged to have joined the ‘I survived 5 days with Huw Gilbert’ club! It always great to take on new challenges in the mountains in the company of new friends.

Aspirations are fluctuating with each read of the weather forecast but this morning at least Rob, Dave and me have managed to find some nice ice climbing. Rob and myself are hanging around in Norway [...]

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